Up early as we were on the 5:55 train.Had to get the guy to open the massive gates of the Haveli so we could get out.The train was 50 mins late leaving - no reason but a bit frustrating. We arrived at Jaipur and went to our hotel to freshen up before a quick look at the city.It's big, lots of traffic (and smog) and very noisy. Next day we went sightseeing round the old town saw a couple of palaces and an astronomical observatory (16th cent.).That was different ...

Left Jaiselmer late (as usual) and train journey was OK - arrived about 30 mins late.We had a quick ride to the hotel through some very dark alleys with people sleeping on their market stalls - we would have been a bit scared had we not been to the hotel before. The hotel was fantastic - an old converted haveli and we had an enormous corner room with a carved ceiling, oil lamps hanging from the ceiling and even a fridge! Next day we went round the Meheranga...

We arrived at Jaiselmer just before dawn and made our way to the hotel.Our room wasn't ready - no surprise but the owner made us comfortable on the terrace so we could watch the sun come up over the fort - and in my case curl up and die. The fort is like a giant sandcastle sitting in the middle of the desert.- very picturesque but it is falling apart due to population and tourism pressures.The drainage can't cope as it was built for using very little water - i...

We set off from Udaipur early - heading for Jaiselmer.The trip involved getting to Jodhpur and then the overnight train to Jaiselmer.We had decided to splash out and get a taxi for the 6hr ride so we could catch a couple of sites on the way. The first part of the trip was through the hills with lots ofvillages and interesting views ofrural India.Everywhere was still in festival mood - Devali goes on for 5 days.Even the cows have the horns painted for Devali! ...

We left Delhi on the overnight train to Udaipur.Got to the station far too early so had too hang around.When we got on the train we were treated o a floor show.We were in a 4 berth compartment and had established which our berths were when this Indian couple arrived complete with most of their relatives and about 15 suitcases. They tried to leave them right in front of Fran - she was not having this. It turned out they had just married and these were all their w...